“Connecting Researchers & Participants Seamlessly”
P R O J E C T O V E R V I E W
by
Empowering research through easier participant connections.
Research Plus Me is an Arizona State University initiative designed to bridge the gap between researchers, academic professionals, and the public. The platform streamlines the research recruitment process, enabling researchers to list studies easily while helping participants find relevant studies quickly, thereby enhancing engagement in academic research.
increase in participation, driven by compensation being a key motivator for signing up for studies.
I M P A C T40%
increase in enrollment in the first six months, streamlining the recruitment process
3x
reduction in time spent searching for research studies compared to ASU’s generic portal
70%
faster participant enrollment, significantly accelerating the enrollment process
2x
increment in recruitment through personalized participant matching.
50%
M Y R O L EUser Interface Design
Designed intuitive interfaces to streamline the participant enrollment process, creating wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and prototypes to ensure a user-friendly experience.
Design System Development
Created a design system with reusable UI components, color schemes, and typography to ensure consistency and streamline collaboration with the development team.
Discovery & Research
Collaborated in the discovery and research phases to gather insights and align on design solutions. Identified pain points and developed targeted solutions to address key challenges.
Quality Assurance
Ensured the platform met design standards and user expectations through testing. Conducted usability checks, design reviews, and accessibility assessments to refine interactions and enhance the overall user experience.
T H E P R O B L E M
Difficulty in connecting participants with relevant research opportunities
Researchers often struggle to find suitable participants for their studies, while individuals interested in research opportunities face challenges in discovering relevant projects. This gap leads to inefficiencies, lower participation rates, and delays in valuable research. A streamlined solution is needed to bridge this disconnect, making it easier for participants to engage with studies that align with their interests and qualifications.
T H E S O L U T I O NResearch participant matching platform
A centralized digital platform that intelligently connects researchers with suitable participants based on their interests, demographics, and qualifications. By leveraging smart matching algorithms, personalized notifications, and a user interface, the platform ensures that researchers can efficiently recruit participants while individuals can easily discover and enroll in relevant studies. This system reduces inefficiencies, increases participation rates, and accelerates the research process.
U I D E S I G NDiscover research opportunities that matter to you.
Find studies that align with your interests and contribute to meaningful research in Health & Medicine, Psychology, and more. Whether you're looking to advance scientific discovery or participate in studies that can benefit your community, our filtering options help you quickly find opportunities that fit your needs.
Understand the study. Make an impact.
Every study is an opportunity to drive meaningful change. Explore eligibility, compensation, timelines, and study objectives to see how your participation contributes to groundbreaking research, advances scientific and medical knowledge, and helps improve lives in communities.
Find research that aligns with your interests.
Explore studies within your chosen field, follow topics for personalized updates, and use filters to find opportunities where your participation can drive meaningful change. Stay informed, engaged, and connected to research that aligns with your interests and contributes to real-world impact.
Receive alerts for personalized research updates.
Customize your research experience by following topics and subtopics that resonate with your interests. Receive personalized updates, email notifications, and reminders tailored to you, so you can stay on top of studies that match your passions and make a meaningful impact.
D E S I G N P R O C E S S
A structured approach to identifying challenges, crafting solutions, and refining the experience through research, iteration, and testing.
U S E R R E S E A R C H
Understanding the challenges and needs:
A User-Centered Survey
To better understand the challenges faced by the users, we conducted a survey with research participants and researchers. The goal was to gather insights into their frustrations, motivations, and expectations regarding research participation.
Limited Awareness: 75% of participants were unaware of available studies in their areas of interest.
Key Insights
Eligibility Confusion: 55% of participants were unsure if they met study criteria.
Low Engagement: Researchers reported a 40% dropout rate due to lack of participant follow-through.
Communication Gaps: Both researchers and participants cited unclear communication as a major pain point.
Lack of Personalization: 60% of participants wanted study recommendations tailored to their interests and qualifications, but existing systems lacked personalization.
These findings helped shape a streamlined matching system, clear eligibility indicators, personalized study recommendations, and better researcher-participant communication tools in the final platform.
Impact on Design:
Exploring user experiences and pain points:
An in-depth interview study
We conducted one-on-one interviews with 10 research participants and 10 researchers to gain deeper insights into their experiences with research platforms. The goal was to understand their frustrations, expectations, and needs, helping us identify areas for improvement and guide the development of a more effective, user-friendly solution.
Need for better study matching – Participants struggled to find relevant studies, while researchers had difficulty filtering qualified applicants. A smarter matching system was necessary.
Interview Findings
Clearer compensation & study details – Unclear payment methods, timelines, and expectations discouraged participation. Transparent compensation details were essential for user trust.
Streamlined onboarding process – Many users found the sign-up process tedious and unclear. A simpler, more intuitive onboarding flow was needed to improve retention.
Improved communication & notifications – Participants wanted real-time updates on study applications, while researchers needed better ways to manage participant interactions.
Trust & data transparency concerns – Users were hesitant to share personal information without clarity on how their data would be used, requiring better transparency features.
Mobile accessibility & convenience – Several participants mentioned wanting a mobile-friendly experience, as they often accessed research platforms via their phones rather than desktops.
C L O S I N G T H O U G H T S
This project transformed how users engage with research opportunities, making study discovery more intuitive and personalized. By focusing on user needs, we streamlined the experience and improved participation rates. The insights gained from this process reinforced the importance of accessibility, clarity, and personalization in research platforms.